View of Youth Foundation plans ahead
by Judy Gabriel

Supporters of the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation will receive tomorrow an overview of Ojai's progress toward becoming a community "where no child falls through."
At its Inaugural Patron Breakfast at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, the OVYF will highlight the groundwork laid over the last five years implementing the Ojai Valley Youth Master Plan and the next steps to take together as a community.
The Ojai Valley Youth Master Plan, created in 1996, commits to "ensuring that our community is a safe and nurturing one for our young people to grow and reach their full potential." Caryn Bosson, the OVYF executive director, said, "We are all aware that we have a way to go, but the Ojai Valley has established some very promising programs and approaches. The challenge we now put forward to our community is for all of us to surround every young person growing up here with the support and opportunity they need."
Ojai Police Chief, Capt. Gary Pentis, will be the featured speaker at the patron breakfast with a sobering picture of Ojai Valley's current environment for today's youth and tomorrow's adults. The program will also include presentations by youth and adults on the OVYF Five-Year Report, how far we've come and suggestions from our youth on what's still missing.
"Collaboration is the theme for our community's success," states OVYF Board President Dale Hanson. In fact, many of the accomplishments of the past five years have arisen from the collaboration and commitment of institutions such as the city of Ojai, the Ojai Unified School District and the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. These organizations have joined forces to establish the Ojai Skate Park, reinstate the Youth Employment Service, and establish the Oak View Police Activities League, among others.
During the past five years the Youth Foundation itself has implemented programs in youth leadership, mentoring, job and career experience, and diversity awareness with major funding provided by The California Wellness Foundation. "Through this five-year grant, the Ojai Valley became a statewide leader in creating youth-adult partnerships to improve overall community well-being," Hanson states. Participants in these partnerships report a strongly increased sense of connection and belonging, and a positive view of our community's direction with regard to its youth.
Thursday's patron's breakfast will form a core of those ready and willing to launch the next five years of community support for - and with - Ojai's young people. A patron is any community member who pledges at least $1,000 over three years, or $333 a year. Patrons are also given the opportunity to provide support, advice and direction to initiatives such as creating a teen center, a substance abuse support network and community collaboration.
For information on the patron's breakfast, to receive a copy of the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation's Five Year Report, and/or for more information on what you can do to help provide that strong community fabric that every child needs, call the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation at 640-9555, or e-mail to ovyfinfo@ovyf.org.

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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